Originally Posted by 70GT6
I also use a Porter Cable but so far I have not had to deal with too many swirls.
However I notice that you say you have to wipe off the various cleaners. I frequently watch a pro buff out cars and let me tell you you almost never see a towel. Whatever compound is being used is worked with untill it is dry and no longer visible on the paint then it is a change of pad and the next compound.
Not that I can do it like that, but obviously working till it dries should not be a real issue. I think there is more to it and mastering proper technique.
Practice practice practice.
Good thing you have a test vehicle
Proper use of the product depends on the product itself. 3M Finesse It is designed to be buffed until it's gone, so trying to wipe it off while still wet is neither recommended nor always easy.
Meguiar's polishes should never be allowed to dry or buffed completely but rather wiped off while still wet. Some can be worked longer than others, but the basic technique is the same.
You need to understand the use of the products you're working with to get the best out of them, regardless who makes them. Technique is hugely important and I've seen guys do amazing things will a wide variety of products and I've seen guys do total crap jobs with a wide variety of products too.
For the record, I just double checked several bottles in my garage for the exact wording (M80 Speed Glaze, M83 Dual Action Cleaner Polish, M07 Show Car Glaze, M09 Swirl Remover 2.0, M03 Machine Glaze, etc) and they all say to work until almost dry and then remove. These are all Meguiar's paint cleaners, cleaner/polishes or pure polishes.